CostIndexUSA

Buffalo, NY vs Youngstown, OH Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

NY
Buffalo
95.8
overall index
$1,375/mo rent
More AffordableOH
Youngstown
87.4
overall index
$1,025/mo rent

Youngstown is moderately cheaper than Buffalo — 8.8% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Buffalo, you would need $73,000 in Youngstown. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing34.1%
Buffalo
81
Youngstown
53.4
🛒 Groceries6.1%
Buffalo
99.7
Youngstown
93.6
🚗 Transportation+1.3%
Buffalo
102.6
Youngstown
103.9
🏥 Healthcare+1.2%
Buffalo
92.9
Youngstown
94
Utilities25.6%
Buffalo
129.5
Youngstown
96.3

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Buffalo to see what you'd need to earn in Youngstown to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in Youngstown, OH
$73,000
$7,000 less needed in Youngstown

Formula: salary × (87.4 ÷ 95.8) = salary × 0.9123. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Buffalo, NY

Median Home Price
$269,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,375
Housing Index
81
Price-to-Rent Ratio
16.3×

Youngstown, OH

Median Home Price
$163,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,025
Housing Index
53.4
Price-to-Rent Ratio
13.3×

Buffalo has 34.1% lower housing costs compared to Youngstown.

Income & Job Market

Buffalo, NY

Median Household Income
$69,900
Per Capita Income
$39,800
Unemployment Rate
3.6%
Population
261,025
Top Industries
HealthcareEducationManufacturingFinanceGovernment

Youngstown, OH

Median Household Income
$51,400
Per Capita Income
$29,300
Unemployment Rate
4%
Population
60,068
Top Industries
HealthcareManufacturingEducationGovernmentRetail

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Buffalo, NY
4.2×income-to-rent ratio

76% of income left after rent (median)

Youngstown, OH
4.2×income-to-rent ratio

76% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.